August 16, 2002

 

August 20, 2002

Greetings! The fold out in this issue is of President L. McKay Whatley in his Squash Uniform, racquet at the ready! If you can find it, frame it!
Phil

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IN GEAR

Meeting of August 16—Chin music was the only music prior to the single brassy note that opened the meeting. (When Rose Patterson is out of town, no one even hums.) A breaded pork chop, a mysterious zucchini, a hamburger steak, a mashed potato and a friendly mess of pintos preceded banana pudding and thou beside me singing in the wilderness.>>Table Talk—what’s going to happen to the old courthouse? was the most talked about subject amid commentary on jogging, neighborhoods, children growing to adulthood. What would you like to happen to the 1908 courthouse? A museum, a public meeting room, offices, the Randolph Room of the Library? The current plan is to excise the 1950 structure that links the old building to the 1981 addition, so that the old building stands alone as it did when first built. Everything else is up for discussion: what do YOU think should happen?

In his invocation, Athletic Committee Chairman Doug Pugh thanked God for the rain, for the sport of football, and for true friendship. Sergeant at Arms Ed Clayton introduced our guests. He was very organized about it; he introduced Bill Johnson a sales manager with Metals USA, guest of Rick Crawford. Then he introduced visiting Randolph Rotarians Helen Keyes, Cheryl Turner, and Mike King. Randolph Rotarian Bob McRae, Superintendent of Randolph County Schools was the transitional figure for the next batch of guests, the educators. Ed Todd, Principal of Eastern Randolph High School, Drew Maerz, Principal of Southwestern Randolph High School, Rick Dawes, Principal of Randleman High School, Donnie Baxter, Athletic Director for Randolph County Schools, and Tim Allgood, Assistant Superintendent, Asheboro City Schools, guest of Diane Frost. Since Tim is the personnel man for the city schools, Ed invited anyone who wanted a job to give Tim a call.

Announcements: That Bob and Dot Walker will be celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary caused a round of applause. Shiv Harsh and Ken Gobel are each adding another year this week. Don’t forget: Our Golf Tournament is coming up in October—see Rebecca Williams to offer your athletic skills, your pocketbook or your volunteer services. A brochure will be out soon. Jaci Betts Wants You—to be a Team Leader on the Group Study Exchange to Nigeria. The visiting Nigerian team will be in our area in April and our outbound team will spend May in Africa. Also needed: nominees for team members—non-Rotarians, please. Applications are due by the end of September. Contact Jaci. There will be a Rotary Foundation Seminar at AVS on September 25. See President Mac for details.

This Week In North Carolina History August 16, 1977, Elvis left the building, final call.>>August 11, 1909, the freighter Arapaho bound for Charleston harbor came to trouble in the Outer Banks and sent the first SOS to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.>>August 12, 1988, the brand new million-dollar scoreboard at the Charlotte Coliseum crashed to the floor, a photo of the wreckage making that week’s Sports Illustrated.>>August 14, 1983, at a speedway between Asheville and Weaverville, the pavement buckled during a 500 lap NASCAR sanctioned event. The race had to be terminated for driver safety. The fans, who had paid for 500 laps but only got 258, blocked the gates and the drivers had to beat their way out with tire tools and two by fours.

President Mac, for his segue into introducing today’s athletics program pulled a Harvard letter sweater over his head and told us that he was the proud possessor of what is called a Major H, a varsity athletic letter. Mac earned it as manager of the Harvard Squash Team. Although squash racquets is a blood sport up north it is about as common as nine-men’s morris down here. He described it as handball rules on a racquetball court using a badminton racquet and a superball. For reasons largely unknown, this digression struck us all funny. Mac turned the program over to Allen Oliver who, with just one remark about how tight the sweater had become, introduced our speakers, the football coaches from Eastern Randolph, Southwestern Randolph, Asheboro, and Randleman.

First up was Burton Cates of ERHS who said he had a young team this year, with 28 juniors and 11 seniors. He expressed pride in the 17 players playing college ball and encouraged us to think of them as Randolph County boys when we hear about them on TV or read about them. Coach Cates singled out wide receiver Tony Braswell and quarterback Chris Williams as players to watch. He said it was a privilege to work with great kids and a great staff. In his final remark, he encouraged people to support high school football—at all the county schools.

Randy Miller of SWRHS who said the greatest job in the world was to work with young kids, even though putting faith into sixteen-year-olds has its ups and downs. He mentioned Blake Hinshaw as a fullback with a great deal of potential. Coach Miller said, “He’s like a neighbor’s kid, you don’t know what he’s going to do.”

Following Randy Miller was Don Murray of AHS. Coach Murray thanked us for the opportunity to speak to community leaders. “Football is my life,” he said. At a recent parents meeting he told them that they weren’t born when he put on his first helmet. (And that he therefore didn’t’ need their advice.) Murray said Asheboro has a lot of seniors who didn’t play much last year and they they’re going to have to step up this season. With the conference games starting late in the season, he was thankful for the extra time. He mentioned Tyler Gladden on defense and Rodney Cheek.

Jim Hicks of RHS said he a new kid on the block although he knew the other coaches from playing them. He’s in a rebuilding situation, just having taken the coaching position in June. “I’m feeling my way into the system and looking forward to the challenge. We’re going to concentrate on the younger kids without overlooking the seniors.”

President Mac thanked the coaches for coming. At a leadership conference a coach was defined as anyone who evokes excellence. With a watchword not to be content with mediocrity, we were dismissed.

Written by Philip Shore

August 9, 2002

 

Sent August 6, 2002

NOTICE!!!
Henry Brown, Bob Newton and I are meeting in Asheboro Friday morning. Henry says that after our meeting we will make up at the Asheboro Club. This, of course, will be a historic first for the Asheboro Club–the first time the District Governor, the District Governor Elect and the District Governor Nominee will be in attendance. This is own par with the historic meeting of Churchill, Roosevelt and Moms Mabley.

Alert the Associated Press!! I’m sure they will want to send a photographer.

So, on behalf of Larry, Moe and Curly, we’ll see you Friday.
Donald H. Allred
District Governor Nominee
Rotary District 7690

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IN GEAR, Posted August 16, 2002

Meeting of August 9—The meeting began with a grand stroke of the gong. President Mac Whatley called the meeting to order. While we enjoyed meat loaf, chicken, rice, okra, and strawberry pie, Rose Patterson played a melodious assemblage of popular songs: Moon River, Memory, What The World Needs Now and others. Thank you Rose for sharing your talent and time with us! Table Talk: Rotarians talking about changes in Rotary rules, such as classification requirements. Evan Minier reflected that the changes were to facilitate getting new members in a world with different priorities. Someone asked Mr. Minier if he had heard about the sky. Evan replied in the negative. The someone asking changed the subject saying, “It’s over your head.”

Corrections to the previous newsletter: Jaci Betts was quick to make known that the dates of the Group Study Exchange trip were incorrectly stated: the Nigerian team will visit the U.S. during April and the outbound team will be gone the month of May. John Menius informed the Tar Wheel that the Galapagos tortoises at the interim zoo were named Tort and Retort.

Guests today: Sergeant at Arms Ed Clayton had his hands full of visitors again. Juan Villa with John Grey (Juan operates Villa Photography); Paul Rudd and Jill Cofer with Phil Koonce (Paul is Executive Director of Habitat For Humanity and Jill is President of Habitat); and all star lineup of visiting Rotarians including District Governor Henry Brown of Southern Pines, District Governor Elect Bob Newton of the Greensboro Club, Past District Governor Stuart Fountain from the Greensboro Club, and Past President Derrick Grantham of the Randolph Club. These visiting District officials allowed District Governor Nominee Don Allred, who, because of his duties always taking him elsewhere, might as well be a visitor, to sit with them. Don’s brother was thinking of making a joke about hoping some dignity would rub off, but Don looked like he was the leader of the pack.

Announcements: Golf Tournament, October 9 at Asheboro Country Club. Rebecca Williams announced a meeting of the Tournament Committee for Tuesday, August 13, at 5:30 p.m.

Wayne Thomas has attained the status of being aged 49.

President Mac introduced our newest member, Jim Foster. Jim, who is with Wachovia Bank, was sponsored by H.R. Gallimore who was unable to attend today. Jim is from Goldsboro and has seen a farm. He went to Appalachian. He is married and has three children under 10. Jim has been with Wachovia for fourteen years. In the new future we will have a new member day and learn more about him. Welcome, Jim.

This Week In North Carolina History

August 3, 1863, Jefferson Davis announced a general amnesty in an effort to get troops who had deserted back in the ranks. Locally, draft dodgers and deserters, called “outliers” camped in rough quarters dug in Purgatory Mountain, giving the mountain its name from the hellish look of the smoke from hidden fires.>>August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated at Hiroshima. Major Thomas Farrabee of Mocksville was on the Enola Gay, the aircraft that delivered the bomb. John McGlohon was in the air taking recon photos at this time and got one of the first pictures of the fireball from the bomb. >>August 8, 1928, David Williams wrote home to his mother from the Caledonia Prison saying that he had had a dream about a rifle mechanism. The rifle, once developed, became the M1 Carbine used as a standard issue weapon in WWII and Korea. Mr. Williams became known as “Carbine” Williams. He received a presidential pardon and a movie was made of his life with James Stewart starring.

President Mac introduced our speaker, Randall Brim, saying that now we’ll know that he, Mac, is not the only historian in Randolph County. Randall works for the County in zoning inforcement. He is a native of Seagrove. Randall’s topic today: Asheboro and Randolph County’s local military unit, Company K. Company K’s major achievement was to be one of the first units of the U.S. Infantry to break through the Hindenburg Line, on September 29, 1918. The Hindenburg Line was the precursor to the Maginot Line of WWII. The attack was a bloody one. Of almost two hundred members of Company K, 26 reached the objective. The rest were wounded or killed.

Supplementing Randall’s presentation were a series of panoramic photographs of Co. K at various activities. He also passed some copies of small photographs around the tables. Randall thanked George Bane, past president of the Randolph Genealogical Society, for mounting and framing the panoramic shots. Co. K was organized at the Randolph County Courthouse in November of 1911. It was a matter of community pride to have a local military unit. Local militias became part of the state militia which was the forerunner of the National Guard.

Randall singled a Sergeant McDowell out for special comment. McDowell was the First Sergeant of the Company. He had previously served in the U. S. Army. On the return trip from their first encampment in Anniston, Alabama, in 1912, First Sgt. McDowell became inebriated and tore up a Pullman car for which he was discharged from Co. K. In 1917 with the entry of the United States into the World War, McDowell asked to be reinstated. The request was granted. McDowell was one of those killed on September 29, 1918. His remains were brought back from Europe and interred in the City Cemetery after a service in front of the Courthouse where Co. K had been organized seven years before.

Randall’s obvious enthusiasm for his subject and the depth of his knowledge exceeded the amount of time he had for his presentation. President Mac thanked him and said he hoped he would come back again. Mac added that the Co. K armory was located in the Big Bear Supermarket Building on what was Depot Street, now Sunset Avenue. In the upstairs where Mr. Cheek formerly had his office and workspace, it is still possible to see the exercise rings and other equipment.

Written by Philip Shore

August 2, 2002

 

Posted August 6, 2002

Dear Rotarian:

The Board of Directors has approved the following prospect for membership:

Linda Carter
Employer: First National Bank
Classification: Banking
Sponsor: Kathy Homiller

Unless written objection is received by the secretary within seven days, this prospect shall be considered elected to membership.

Rotary Club of Asheboro, P.O. Box 1281, Asheboro, NC 27204-1281

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IN GEAR

Meeting of August 2—President Mac Whatley displayed the common touch by dining with the membership rather than at the head table. The meal consisted of meatballs, the other white meat, mashed potatoes, gravy, green peas, brownie cake.

Angioplasty and stents were available in the lobby. Rose Patterson kept the melodies flowing, notably those of Hoagie Carmichael. Banter was brisk around the tables: lawyers enjoying the discomfiture of accountants and CEOs just a little too much. You can tell it’s payback time.

Other topics of interest at table centered around letters to the editor in the Courier-Tribune. Pulisher David Renfro said that most letters from readers are printed if they are signed. In response to a recently printed negative letter about the new courthouse, County Attorney Alan Pugh asked his fellow diners if they knew that the Randolph County court system contributes $800,000 annually to the school system in fines and forfeitures.

President Mac attempted to ring the gong to call the meeting to order, but the gong won. After two thunks he gave up trying and had us greet each other. You know, it is a joyous experience to hear a room full of people happily speaking to each other. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, all words included, Ken Oakes gave the invocation. He thanked God for making us “relational beings” especially in the “beautiful relationships” we find in Rotary.

Sergeant at Arms Ed Clayton, who today was behaving himself, announced that we had one real guest and four visiting Rotarians. Mike Watson of Southern Pines, guest of Mazie Fleetwood was the real one and the four visiting Randolph Rotarians were Bob McRae, Cheryl Turner, Reid Pollard, and Cranford Knott. Bob is Superintendent of Randolph County Schools; Ed said Bob was here during his hiatus. Teachers go back to work next week in both city and county systems. Bob was lucky to get a few minutes off.

Nobody was born this week, according to the President. Maybe it was too hot. Next week you can look forward to the births of David Stedman and Wayne Thomas.

Announcements: The official opening of the newly renovated Lake Lucas will take place Saturday, August 3, starting at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be served at lunchtime. Congratulate Allen Oliver for this fine work on behalf of the City of Asheboro.>> Sport Clay Shoot at Clemmons, August 24. This is a Clemmons Rotary fundraiser for Polio Eradication. Check with Mac for details. (As the President attempted to continue with announcements, Allen Holt raised to full ursine height and asked for recognition from the floor. He said Don Durham was wondering how long the skeet season will last? Mac said it was the same as for snipe.)>> Don’t forget OUR golf tournament on October 9. Players, sponsors, workers—all needed. When Rebecca Williams asks you to help, give the Rotary answer: Yes!

The Group Study Exchange is requesting applicants for Team Leader and team members. The Team Leader needs to be a Rotarian in good standing (that is all of you). Team members need to be non-Rotarians. The GSE team will visit Nigeria for the month of April, 2003. The next president of Rotary International is from Nigeria. President Mac reminded us that in Third World countries, being in Rotary is a great and respected achievement, something we tend to forget. Jaci Betts has applications. Please consider this trip—it is not just a trip but a thoroughly involving educational adventure. Jaci is the Chairwoman of the District 7690 Group Study Exchange Committee.

This Week In North Carolina History—

In response to a Tar Wheel complaint that the happenings cited weekly were all gloomy, President Mac cheered David Renfro immensely by stating that “most of the citations came from newspapers and newspapers only print bad news.” With that he gave us, July 30, 1935—date of the last lynching in North Carolina. July 28, 1943—Babe Ruth (age 48) played an exhibition game against the North Carolina Pre-Flight Cloudbusters led by Ted Williams (age 24). Williams was in flight training for World War II. August 2, 1776—the North Carolina delegation signed the Declaration of Independence. In local news, August 2, 1974 –the Interim North Carolina Zoo opened with its star attractions being two Galapagos tortoises names Pete and Repete.

President Mac, asking for some help handing out committee lists and program schedules, announced that today’s program was a Club Assembly. He asked committee members to gather round their chairs and talk things over for the year.
One of the main topics of discussion will be programs. Since 1996 our club has given the responsibility for programs to the individual committees, each of which is requested to provide at least one program during the year. This method has made it easy to have entertaining and informative meetings with a minimum of fuss. It is requested that the membership take this duty to heart and bring good things to the club.

Once the meeting became free form assortment of little groups meeting here and there, there was nothing further to report on. So here’s some information from RI about our main concern for the year: Polio Eradication. Rotarians are on the verge of ridding the world of polio. The number of polio cases has declined by 99 percent in the 16 years since Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation made polio eradication the highest priority.

The RI Board of Directors and the Foundation Trustees have unanimously resolved to introduce a new campaign to raise the additional $400 million dollars to complete Rotary’s dream of a polio-free world. The campaign will last only through the 2002-03 Rotary Year. The goal: $80 million. This will be matched by the World Bank, the Gates Foundation, and the United Nations Foundation.

Proceeds from our Golf Tournament will assist us in meeting our club’s goal. More about this as the year rolls on.

Written by Philip Shore